chased leaders, went 3rd 11th, mistake and lost 3rd 4 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, poor 6th and plenty to do 4 out, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, never nearer
chased leader and keen, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 6th, hit 10th, led 12th, pressed fom next, ridden and stumbled 2 out, stayed on well from last
blundered 1st, held up in rear, pulled up quickly after 8th
soon tailed off, pulled up after 8th
led until 12th, chased winner, every chance 4 out and next, soon driven, dropped to 3rd before 2 out, no chance with leading duo when mistake last, weakened flat
chased leading pair, ridden and lost 3rd at 11th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
behind, headway to modest 5th before 4 out, soon struggling
chased leaders, badly outpaced and lost place 11th, stayed on again before last, went 4th flat, kept on
held up in touch, headway on inside to chase leading duo approaching 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden between last 2, keepuing on same pace when hit last, weakened flat
TARA ROSE was surprisingly beaten by A Little Swifter at Leicester on her chasing bow but should reverse that form here on 6lb better terms and was conceding a lot of weight in a handicap here next time. She's worth one more chance as she was the best of these over hurdles. Kaituna disappointed at Fontwell last month while Valmari's confidence may have been affected by a couple of recent falls. Queen's Bay is a decent hurdler and shouldn't be ignored but Miss Kalifa has been well beaten in her two starts over fences and is best watched at present.
A Little Swifter (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden to lead approaching last, driven and stayed on under pressure, won at Leicester 2m Mares Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec beating Tara Rose (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Kaituna (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Close 5th, slow and weakened under pressure 4 out, 5th of 7, 17l behind Father Probus (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Valmari (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, led before 5th, headed before 11th, disputed 2nd and in touch when fell next, in a race won by Rajdhani Express (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Combustible Lady (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along and hit 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 42l behind Whoops A Daisy (10-12) at Kempton 3m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Nov '11.
Gouranga 40-1 (10-0) Towards rear, struggling 5th, ridden next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Jupiter Rex (10-10) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Miss Kalifa (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Took very keen hold, held up tracking leaders, mistake 7th, went 3rd at 8th, ridden and struggling after 9th, blundered badly 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Midnight Macarena (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f Mares Handicap Chase (0-120) (4yo+) (4) sft in Dec.
Petrarchick (USA) 10-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, left modest 4th hit 2 out and slightly hampered, went 3rd before last until last, 4th of 14, 19l behind Set In Her Ways (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Queen Of Mantua (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed 5th, chased winner until before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 15, 30l behind Ardkilly Witness (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Queens Bay 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, plugged on and went 3rd run in, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Queens Grove (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-120) (3yo+) (4) sft in Nov.
Tara Rose 13-2 (11-12) Made most to before 4 out, kept on same pace, weakened last, 5th of 8, 21l behind Roll The Dice (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
